Bathinda, August 24
The controversy involving municipal commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta and senior SAD leader Rajinder Singh Sidhu was laid to rest today with the latter tendering an apology for his behaviour.

Taking a U-turn from his earlier stance accusing officials of the Municipal Corporation, Bathinda (MCB), of taking Rs 3 lakh as bribe for allowing him to construct an unauthorised shop on the Waqf Board land in the Grain Market here, Sidhu today said none of the MCB officials ever sought bribe from him.

“I was pained at the economic loss suffered due to dismantling of my shop. In a fit of rage, I called up the municipal commissioner and spoke the words that I should have never said. I am a responsible citizen and I repent my actions as well as words,” said a statement issued from the Shiromani Akali Dal district public relation officer on Sidhu's behalf.

Backtracking from his statements in media, Sidhu, who is also a former municipal councillor and president of the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, said he had not given any statement accusing MCB officials of taking graft.

The apology came a day after MCB employees staged a protest against Sidhu and in support of the municipal commissioner. Sidhu’s threat to commissioner was being viewed as the infringement of rights of government employees to discharge their duties without any fear.

Sources in the district administration said the district police was contemplating to register a case against Sidhu on the official complaint of Uma Shankar Gupta.

On August 20 afternoon, acting on the orders of administration, MCB workers had demolished unauthorised shops on the Waqf Board land in the Grain Market. One of the shops belonged to Sidhu.

Sources said the compromise was reached after the Deputy Chief Minister intervened. With a case pertaining to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief scheduled to be heard in the district court on August 31 and Sidhu being the main complainant in the case, the government did not want to create any awkward political situation.

The compromise will help maintain political tranquility in the city.

Bathinda, August 24
A day after the murder of a 35-year-old mason in Uriya Basti here, the police today said the heinous crime seemed to be the handiwork of drug addicts residing in the ‘basti’.

The two-day-old body of Dhanpat was found in his hut on Friday morning. He was also known as Uday Mantri.

The Thermal police station officials said the ‘basti’ was notorious for drug use as youngsters there were addicted to various forms of medicinal drugs, including smack.

“Uday’s efforts against drug abuse and his speeches during public gatherings were not liked by addicts. They might have eliminated him for raising the issue of drug addiction in the ‘basti’,” said investigating officer Darshan Singh of Thermal police station.

The police said youngsters, some even below 15 years of age, were involved in consumption and sale of various forms of drugs in the ‘basti’.

Basti residents informed the police that Uday regularly raised his voice against the rampant use of smack by some youngsters in the ‘basti’.

The locality does not have any approach road and is surrounded by the boundary wall of the thermal plant, Sirhind Canal, railway tracks and forest area. Outsiders do not dare to enter the locality during late evening hours.

The police said drug addicts roamed around freely and if anyone objected to their activity they used to threaten, injure or even kill him.

Meanwhile, the police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC on the complaint of one Ram Chand of the Railway Colony.

Uday Mantri’s efforts against drug abuse and his speeches during public gatherings were not liked by addicts. They might have eliminated him for raising the issue of drug addiction in the ‘basti’.
— Darshan Singh, investigating officer

Bathinda, August 24
A 47-year-old man committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at his residence in Guru Gobind Singh Nagar here.

Ranjeet Singh, the deceased, was reportedly upset due to financial and family problems. In his suicide note, he did not blame anyone for taking the extreme step and sought forgiveness from his 13-year-old daughter. The suicide note stated that nobody would feel sad about his death except for his daughter. Ranjeet Singh also wrote that he had given Rs 2 lakh to his brother and another person.

Ranjeet Singh, a native of nearby Khemuana village, was residing in the city along with his wife and a daughter. He taught maths to students of various classes in a private institution situated on the Ajit Road. His wife works as a computer operator on contract basis in the BDO office, Nathana,.

The investigating officer, ASI Darshan Singh of Thermal police station said the exact reason behind the suicide was not known yet. Initial reports suggest that the tutor was mentally upset due to various family problems.

His wife, who is around 33 years old, had gone to her parental house in nearby Sivian village a week ago and the teacher was alone at his house.

The police said some neighbours noticed that the main entrance of the house remained open since yesterday morning and nobody switched on the lights last night. The matter was brought to the notice of one of the Ranjeet's three brothers. The body was found lying in the lobby of the house this morning.

The Thermal police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC. 

Bathinda, August 24
Three members of a family, including a boy, of Vishal Nagar were injured after they were hit by stray cattle on the Santpura road.

The injured have been identified as Ramesh Kumar, his wife Saroj and son Naresh Kumar. They were riding a bike when owing to darkness Ramesh failed to spot stray cattle on the road and rammed the bike into it. Volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa, an NGO, shifted the injured to the Civil Hospital. They were undergoing treatment in the emergency ward of the hospital. — TNS

Bathinda, August 24
The Department of Architecture, Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus (PTUGZS), hosted an expert lecture on professional ethics and commitment.

Eminent educationist of the region, Dr Surjit Singh Sekha, who retired as an associate professor from Government College of Education, Jalandhar, spoke on the subject.

Dr Sekha, in his speech, threw light on the basics of human values and their implications on different professions. The interactive session of two hours involved the students as well as the faculty. He stressed upon the need for commitment towards the profession, society, values, excellence and research, which are the cornerstone for any professional.

The eminent educationist made the audience pledge that they would follow the code of ethical practice in their professions. The talk ended with Dr Sekha reciting two of his poems, written specifically for the students on the campus and applauded the campus director. Students of architecture presented him with a handmade vase.

Earlier, faculty conveners, Prof Jatinder Kaur and Prof Ripu Daman Singh, welcomed Dr Sekha. More than 100 students of the architecture department attended the lecture.

Head of the Department, Prof Bhupinder Pal Singh Dhot, said the Department of Architecture shall be organizing more such expert lectures in the days to come to give need-based exposure to the students.

Campus director Dr Jasbir S. Hundal appreciated the efforts of the faculty and the student body of the architecture department (AART) for holding the event.

Harmanpreet Kaur, Guneet Kaur, Nehdeep Kaur and other members of the staff were also present on the occasion. 

Bathinda, August 24
Consultant physician at Kishori Ram Hospital and Diabetes Care Centre, Dr Vitull K. Gupta, has been invited to deliver a guest lecture on the topic, "Vitamin D: Myth and Reality", during the World Congress on Clinical, Preventive, Cardiology and Imaging 2013 (WCCPCI-2013) being organized at Mysore, from September 4 to 6.

In the scientific session on clinical and preventive cardiology, Dr Gupta will speak on Vitamin D deficiency which is fast becoming a global and national health concern largely because people are not aware of Vitamin D deficiency and its consequences.

Dr Gupta said it is estimated that around 80 per cent of the Indian population has Vitamin D deficiency because of skin complexion, poor sun exposure, vegetarian food habits and lack of Vitamin D food fortification programme that explains the high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in India despite its sunny weather.

"There is now a vast body of evidence to suggest that Vitamin D deficiency is a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, birth defects and periodontal diseases, among others," he said.

Dr Gupta added that the Vitamin D influences expression of more than 200 genes in the human body. Nearly every tissue in the human body has receptors of vitamin D, be it the brain, heart, skin, kidney and pancreas. Any deficiency of Vitamin D in the human body is bound to affect the normal functioning of all organs having Vitamin D receptors.

Dr Gupta feels that Vitamin D is being recognised as an important public health issue and current evidence has created substantial hype, but randomised controlled trials are needed to determine whether routine Vitamin D assessment and supplementation can slow down, halt or even reverse the disease processes with which they are associated.

Bathinda, August 24
Trinjan — the Teej fest — was celebrated at RB DAV Senior Secondary School today. To celebrate the rich Punjabi culture, the school displayed heritage items ranging from items in daily use to the traditional clothes that people wear.

The chief guest at the event was Urmila Singla, wife of Bathinda MLA Sarup Chand Singla. Other guests included Shyama Singla, Saroj Bhanot, Anju Singla, Nohria, former councillor Parminder Kaur, Harsimrat Birbehman, former councillor Shanti Jindal, Shiksha Goyal, Raj Gupta, Gursharan Kaur and Nomita Mandal.

Principal Dr S Bhullar said the celebration showcased the colours of Punjabi culture and tradition highlighting various rituals. The participants from Dayanand House represented the Teej festival.

The song "Teeyan Teej Diyan, Bhadon De Muklave Teeyan Teej Diyan" echoed in the school corridors expressing the enthusiasm of the students. Girl students adorned their hands and feet with henna (mehendi) and decorated the traditional swing - peeng. The students of Tagore House sang "sithnia" and showered comments on the groom's family as per the Punjabi tradition.

Nehru House represented Jaago - the ceremony heralding the arrival of the groom's family at the bride's house carrying jaagos on their head, singing giddha songs and dancing all along.

Participants from Gandhi House sang "Lambi Hek Wale Geet" portraying the glimpses of Batna ritual of the Punjabi tradition associated with the wedding starting five days before the day when turmeric is applied on the prospective bride and groom. Patel House sang "Boliyan", concluding the cultural bonanza.

Punjabi cuisines were also prepared on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, principal Dr S Bhullar said students are forgetting the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. "Today, we presented the rich culture of Punjab to re-connect our children with the past," she added.

Bathinda, August 24
Freedom fighter Girish Gupta (90) passed away at his residence at Birla Mill Road today in the morning. Gupta was consigned to flames in the presence of senior officials of the district administration, police department, religious, political and business leaders. A guard of honour was given by a police contingent by firing shots in the air and reversing their weapons.

Gupta had been arrested and sent to one-year rigorous imprisonment in August 1942 for his active involvement in the 'Quit India Movement'. During his jail term in Ambala, Gupta came in contact with Ram Kumar, general secretary of the Punjab Congress Socialist Party. He was influenced by the ideology of Kumar.

Gupta along with his friends Nand Kishore, Ram Parkash Sethi and Gurdev Singh, was arrested in connection with a bomb blast in August 1943 and was again lodged in Hisar jail for trial. He played a vital role in a rally at Bathinda in 1946 where Jaya Prakash Narayan was the chief guest. Gupta is survived by two sons and two daughters. — TNS

Bathinda, August 24
A four-year-old girl from Mansa city needs help for treatment of diabetes. Jashandeep, daughter of Darshan Singh from Labh Singh Wali Gali, Mansa, is suffering from diabetes. The child is dependent on insulin injections, which cost Rs 6,600 per vial. A vial has medicine enough to last for 18 days.

Her father Baldev Singh is a rickshaw puller and is unable to bear the expenses of her treatment. Baldev said the family came to know about Jashandeep's ailment when her crèche attendant said that ants were found around her urine.

"This was enough to alarm us. We immediately got her tested for diabetes and found that she was suffering from the disease," said Baldev who visited the office of the NGO Naujawan Welfare Society seeking help for the child's treatment.

The child has to be administered insulin twice a day. She has already lost vision in her left eye due to diabetes. Her father Baldev Singh requested for financial support for his ailing daughter. He can be reached at the mobile number 8699169210.

Bathinda, August 24
Local political leaders and members of some Dalit organisations today accused the Bathinda police of registering a false case and beating up two Dalit women of Hardev Nagar.

Police arrested a couple and another person for assaulting female cops with the aim of preventing them from discharging their duty and obstructing the policemen with the intention of criminal act.

The accused, however, refuted the police charge and termed it as misuse of power. They also got admitted to the Civil Hospital with injuries, allegedly inflicted by the policemen.

Police have registered a case in this connection against Mangu, her husband Madan Lal and an unidentified resident of Hardev Nagar under sections 186, 353 and 34 of the IPC at the Thermal police station.

The case was registered on the complaint of lady constable Amandeep Kaur.

According to the SHO, Thermal police station, Harpreet Singh, the police control room received a phone call yesterday from a woman who complained against her mother-in-law of assault.

A team of the recently formed Women Armed Special Protection Squad (WASPS) was sent to the place. The two female cops knocked at the door of a house to enquire about the address of the person who had made a call to the police control room.

The woman in the house, however, allegedly entered into a scuffle with them.

The female cops too reacted and brought the matter to the notice of senior police functionaries after which the accused were arrested by the police and a case was registered.

Some local political leaders also jumped into the fray. Blaming the police for "high-handedness", they met them at the Civil Hospital. Kiranjit Gehri, state president of Lok Jan Shakti Party and convener of the Dalit Sena, Punjab, while levelling allegations against the Bathinda police, said his party would hold a massive protest against the police tomorrow.

Gehri said the two women, Rajo and Baggo Devi, are undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital after they were injured in a police attack at Hardev Nagar yesterday. He alleged that the female cops, without enquiring about anything, started beating up the women in the area.

Mango and her husband Madho have been booked in a false case and sent to jail, he alleged.

Bathinda, August 24
A talent hunt programme was organised at the Aklia College of Education for Women during the B.Ed session 203-14. Chairman of the institute, Gurtej Singh Brar, was the chief guest on the occasion. Students of the institute presented various cultural items on the occasion.

While Nivya, Kirandeep, Prabhjot and Hasanpreet participated in the rangoli competition, Rupampreet, Jaspreet and Honey participated in the mehendi contest.

Students also presented Sammi, a folk dance. Ideas were also shared by the students on the rising drug menace in the state and on ways to improve the condition of women in Punjab.

The students shared their concern over the social problems confronting the state and vowed to contribute to check the menace.